Charged with a White Collar Crime in Kansas City, Missouri?

Are you under investigation for fraud, embezzlement or another form of white collar crime? Have you already been arrested and charged? Whether you have been charged as an individual or as part of a larger conspiracy, you are seeking answers - and a sophisticated, knowledgeable attorney to defend you against the charges.

Vermillion Law Office, L.L.C. is led by attorney Debra A. Vermillion, who has more than 20 years of legal experience with complex trials, criminal defense and investigation of financial crimes. From offices in Olathe, Kansas, we represent white collar criminal defendants throughout the Kansas City, Missouri area. If you are seeking a high-powered, forceful lawyer for an aggressive and tactical defense, we invite you to contact our offices today for a consultation.

Sidebar A:

"White collar crime" is a catch-all term that can refer to any one of a number of crimes that do not involve physical violence and usually relate to some form of fraud or financial crime. The crimes often listed under the umbrella term "white collar crime" include computer crimes, credit card fraud, identity theft, insurance fraud, bribery, fraud, passing bad checks, charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, tax evasion, mail fraud and wire fraud.

Sidebar B:

For strategic, sophisticated defense of white collar crimes, contact Vermillion Law Office, L.L.C. From our offices in Olathe, Kansas, we defend white collar crime clients throughout the Kansas City, Missouri area. We can be reached 24 hours daily by telephone at 913-782-5544. Or, complete a short intake form for a prompt response.

"White collar crime" is a catch-all term that can refer to any one of a number of crimes that do not involve physical violence and usually relate to some form of fraud or financial crime. The crimes often listed under the umbrella term "white collar crime" include computer crimes, credit card fraud, identity theft, insurance fraud, bribery, fraud, passing bad checks, charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, tax evasion, mail fraud and wire fraud.

Crimes that do not involve physical violence, and that relate largely to financial matters, are often called "white collar crimes." White collar crimes involve most of the same legal principles as do other crimes, and people charged with white collar crimes have the same rights and protections as defendants accused of other crimes. On the other hand, white collar offenses are often complex, and involve numerous complicated legal and factual issues. The possible penalties include fines, prison sentences, restitution and criminal forfeiture. If you have been charged with a white collar crime, it is essential that you seek legal counsel from an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney at once so that you can preserve your rights and protect your future.

What is White Collar Crime?

The phrase "white collar crime" was first used by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 during a speech to the American Sociological Society. He defined white collar crime as a "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." Today, white collar crime refers to illegal offenses that are generally committed in the business or professional setting to achieve financial gain. White collar crime encompasses a number of offenses including mail fraud, embezzlement, securities fraud, tax evasion, conspiracy, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) offenses, financial crime, public corruption and bribery.

White Collar Criminal Investigation

The investigation of a white collar crime can be a long, involved process, and may go on for months or years. A person may be one of the targets of a criminal investigation, and not know it until formal charges are filed. Defense lawyers should become involved in the matter as early as possible, as soon as a person suspects he or she may be involved in an investigation, even as a witness. In many cases, the prosecutor will use a grand jury to investigate and gather information. The complex nature of a white collar criminal prosecution means that a person's potential exposure may not be clear in the early stages of the investigation. Many white collar criminal defendants have had their cases damaged by something they said or did in the early stages of an investigation, before they were targeted or suspected. A defense lawyer should certainly be consulted before any meeting with law enforcement, however innocuous it may seem.

Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Negotiate Plea Agreements

Sometimes, after a person is charged with a crime, the charges will be dropped as a result of the defense attorney's negotiations with the prosecutor. In other cases, the prosecutor will agree to drop the more serious charges if the defendant agrees to plead guilty to lesser charges, or to cooperate with an ongoing investigation. The criminal defendant always has the final word, however, on whether to accept a plea agreement.

If the defendant is convicted of a crime, he or she may receive probation, have a fine imposed, be ordered to perform community service, be ordered to make restitution or pay back the losses caused by the criminal acts, be sentenced to prison or be sentenced to some combination, depending on the severity of the crime. An experienced white collar criminal defense attorney can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a deal that provides for the least severe punishment. If no deal is worked out, he or she can zealously represent the defendant in court, attempting to prove to the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime.

Conclusion

Being accused of a crime is a frightening and stressful event. A charge of a white collar crime imposes extra stress, since a person's professional or business integrity is often at issue. It makes sense to secure competent and knowledgeable counsel who can help streamline the criminal justice process, provide zealous representation and minimize the impact on the criminal defendant's life. If you or someone you know has been charged with committing a white collar crime, do not delay in contacting an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney.

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White collar crime can have significant financial implications and can cost this country billions of dollars per year. As a result, prosecutors and courts are cracking down on white-collar crimes. If you are being investigated for or have been accused of a white collar crime, contact an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

A conviction for a white collar crime can have serious consequences, including jail time and large fines. If you have been charged with a felony white collar crime, you must act to preserve your liberty. Contact a knowledgeable and experienced white collar criminal defense lawyer when your freedom is on the line.

A wide variety of criminal offenses fall under the umbrella of white collar crime. If you are being investigated for or have been indicted for mail fraud, RICO offenses, money laundering, tax crimes or any other white collar crime, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.

It is a common misconception that individuals convicted of white collar crimes serve prison terms in jails that have "country-club" settings. The truth is far different —minimum-security facilities are not pleasant homes, and those sentenced to longer prison terms usually go to higher-security prisons. To have the best chance at avoiding or minimizing a prison sentence, contact an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney immediately.

For strategic, sophisticated defense of white collar crimes, contact Vermillion Law Office, L.L.C. From our offices in Olathe, Kansas, we defend white collar crime clients throughout the Kansas City, Missouri area. We can be reached 24 hours daily by telephone at 913-782-5544. Or, complete a short intake form for a prompt response.

White Collar Crime Resource Links

National White Collar Crime Center
The non-profit National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) provides information on white collar crime issues and provides a newsletter, "The Informant."

Types and Schemes of White Collar Crime
This page from the National Check Fraud Center defines dozens of individual types of white collar crime, from bank fraud to Ponzi schemes.

White Collar Crime
Contains general information about white collar crime, provided by Cornell University Law School.

Federal Bureau of Investigation - White Collar Crime and Fraud
This site contains information about FBI programs, white collar crime, fraud and links to news and interesting cases.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
This network, organized under the federal Department of the Treasury, provides information about financial crimes, including links to laws, enforcement information and regulatory activity.